Minneapolis police chief outlines plan for new commander positions

Incoming Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau told the executive committee of the Minneapolis City Council on Wednesday that she is proposing to create six new commander positions to head divisions within the police department.

The commanders would not be represented by the Minneapolis Police Federation.

Six current captain positions, which are covered by the union, would be abolished under the plan, said Timothy Giles, director of employee services. He indicated that the federation had agreed to the proposal, but said some details still had to be negotiated.

The commanders would oversee divisions devoted to special operations, criminal investigations, the crime lab, administrative services and juvenile, Harteau said. Harteau has told the Star Tribune she will also be proposing to create a sixth division responsible for officer training, one of her priorities for the department.The commanders would report to the department’s deputy chiefs.

Mayor R. T. Rybak, a member of the executive committee, said he supported Harteau’s proposal. City Council Member Elizabeth Glidden said she wanted to see more details in terms of organization and financial implications.

On her motion, the executive committee sent the proposal on to the council’s ways and means committee without recommendation.